Kerala coast on high alert after 15 Islamic State terrorists set off for Lakshadweep

Kerala coast on high alert after 15 Islamic State terrorists set off for Lakshadweep

India Today

26th May, 2019 01:24:49

The Kerala coast of India has been put on high alert following the intelligence reports that boats allegedly carrying Islamic State (IS) terrorists and operatives had set off for the Lakshadweep Islands. The boats have allegedly set off from Sri Lanka.

The Kerala police and coast guard have beefed up the security across the coastline. The fishing vessels and other ships in the region have also been alerted about the situation.

The alert was sounded by the Sri Lankan authorities on May 23, the coastal police department said. The alert stated that white boats carrying nearly 15 Islamic State terrorists are moving towards Lakshadweep.

Coastal department sources said, "We were on alert since the Sri Lankan attack took place. We have also alerted the fishing vessels and others venturing into the sea to be cautious of suspicious activities."

"Such alerts are usual practice but this time we have a piece of specific information about the number. We have alerted the coastal police stations and the police chiefs of coastal districts to be on alert in case of any sighting of suspicious vessels," a top police source told PTI.

After the serial bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, Kerala was on alert, especially after NIA investigations revealed that IS operatives had planned attacks in the State.

Intelligence agencies believe that a considerable number of Keralites are still with the ISIS which was recently wiped out from Iraq and Syria.

Earlier in May, the Islamic State had claimed for the first time that it has established a "province" in India after a clash between militants and security forces in Kashmir killed a militant with alleged ties to the group.

IS's Amaq News Agency late on Friday announced the new province, that it called "Wilayah of Hind", in a statement that also claimed IS inflicted casualties on Indian army soldiers in the town of Amshipora in the Shopian district of Kashmir.